by Matt Moss
“Shops closed,” he said to the massive shadow standing in the doorway.
“Damnit, boy, let me in.”
“Torin?”
“Aye, it’s me,” Torin said stepping in. “I saw the chimney smoke in the moonlight and figured a looter wouldn’t make a fire. Thought it might have been you or someone familiar with Levi since this was his shop. Why on Earth are you down here?”
“I never got to say goodbye,” Arkin said. “Also, figured there might be something here. Like a clue to help us find the Garden of Stones.”
“And you came by yourself?” Torin asked.
“Yes.”
“What were you thinking?” Torin chided. “You trying to get yourself killed?”
“No. I…”
“You weren’t thinking,” Torin snapped. “What you did was reckless. Foolish.”
Arkin hung his head.
“Damnit, Arkin, I’m sorry. I know why you came alone. It’s just... it’s been a long few days.”
“What happened?” Arkin asked. “Where’s grandfather?”
Torin looked down, shaken up. He composed himself. “He’s dead.”
Arkin’s heart sank. He stood there, stunned in disbelief, but was shocked at how much he didn’t feel. Ever since his father’s death, everything inside him had changed.
“How?” Arkin asked.
“He was executed.”
“The King ordered it? How could he?”
“I don’t know. King George is dead too. I...” Torin paused, at a loss for words. “I’m trying to piece it all together. But I do know one thing. Victor is behind it all.”
“Victor?” Arkin said, then remembered Paul’s story about finding the stone. “You mean grandfather’s friend. The one who started the Rebellion?”
“He was your grandfather’s best friend before the Rebellion,” Torin said. “After the Rebellion, it is believed that he formed the Dark Society.” Torin pulled some tobacco from a pouch and began to chew. “He’s now the new High Priest. With the King gone, by law he acts as sovereign until a new king takes the throne.” Torin met Arkin’s gaze. “He’s rallying the people against the Order. They march to war in three days.”
“We have to warn everyone,” Arkin said.
“Aye,” Torin noted.
“Torin,” Arkin said looking away. “Was Lucian there?”
“He was to be executed alongside Paul,” Torin said then paused.
“And?” Arkin said.
Torin turned his head away. ”He’s alive, Arkin.”
“So, he was in on the whole thing?” Arkin asked.
“I don’t think so,” Torin replied. “He may have got the ball rolling, but seems like things went south for him. Victor wanted him dead, no doubt about it. Probably saw him as a threat. Or a liability.”
Arkin felt a rush of excitement. He was given a second chance at vengeance.
Am I crazy? he thought.
“Forgive my manners,” Arkin said. “Come, sit.” He guided Torin to the fire and pulled an extra chair over.
Torin eased down, groaning from his wounds.
“You alright?” Arkin asked.
“Just beat up a bit is all,” Torin grumbled. “I’ll be fine. Could use some whiskey right about now.”
Arkin went back into the pantry and came back with a jar of clear liquid. Torin raised an eyebrow.
“Father didn’t drink much. But he believed in taking some medicine when you’re ailing,” Arkin said and handed him the whiskey.
“He was a smart man,” Torin said. “And a good man.” He took a drink, swallowed, and held the jar up for a closer look. “And apparently a man that keeps damn good whiskey.”
They sat in comfortable silence by the fire.
“How many people does Victor have?” Arkin asked.
“Few thousand by my best guess.”
“We’ll be outnumbered at least three to one,” Arkin stated.
Torin drank.
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know,” Torin said. “I’m not the Prophet. I don’t have a plan other than warn everyone.”
Torin pulled Paul’s letter. “Which reminds me.” He unfolded it and looked at Arkin. “I was going to wait on opening this so everyone could hear it together, but to hell with it, I think it’s time. This was Paul’s final letter.” He began to read, silently.
Torin, if you are reading this, then I am gone. I am sorry that it happened this way, and even more for leaving everyone behind. Fear not, for I am in a better place now. Still, it pains me to say goodbye to my family. You have always been loyal in service, a great leader, and an even better friend. You must be the one who takes my place. Do not fear, God will guide you.
To my family in the Faith, I love and will miss you all. Stay strong in the Faith and let it never be shaken. I leave Torin to take my place. Treat him with the same love and respect that you’ve given me over the years.
To my grandson, Arkin, I wish we could have spent more time together. There is so much that I wanted to share with you about this world. Never lose sight of the beauty in it. I, like your father before me, leave you with my thoughts and hopes for the future. I know you feel alone, but you are not. You have a family now. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. You also have a mother. She lives, Arkin. Seek her out. Find the love that you have been without. Love is the only thing that will keep the world from falling into darkness.
Also, the Garden of Stones does not exist. It was fabricated to give people hope and keep them busy searching for stones. I am sorry for the deceit, among many other shortcomings in my life. I say this because I know that you would... leave no stone unturned, until you found it and do not want you wasting your time looking for something that isn’t there.
With all the love in my heart,
Paul
After Torin finished, he handed the letter to Arkin, then put his head in his hands.
Arkin read it over three times to make sense of the words. He shook his head and looked at Torin.
“Did you know?” he asked.
Torin just shook his head. He had no words.
Arkin dropped the letter, stood, and left.
They were up before dawn. Torin readied the horses while Arkin looked around his father’s shop. He abandoned the idea of searching for clues to the Garden after Paul’s letter. Still, he remembered his father’s excitement before Lucian arrived.
“I’ve found it,” Levi had exclaimed after devoting years of research to finding the Garden.
He had been fooled too.
Arkin clenched his jaw as he moved around the room, illuminated by lamplight. He decided to take some of his father’s favorite things; two books, a walking stick, and a compass. He didn’t know why his father always carried the compass. The thing was broken, the arrow always pointing towards the North mark no matter which way he turned it.
One of the horses snorted, beckoning Arkin to take leave.
Arkin scanned the familiar home one last time.
They rode out of town as the sun peeked over the horizon.
Twenty-Seven
Lyla sat in the Prophet’s chair, leaning over a littered desk of books, her face intense as she looked for clues — anything that would help them locate the Garden of Stones.
“Any luck?” she asked Cain.
Cain sighed, clapped a book shut, and stood to walk to the book shelf. “I got nothing,” he said, then began browsing through the library on the shelf. “How about you?”
“Not yet,” she stated, giving her attention to an oversized tome.
Cain flopped down on the chair. “I need a break.”
She nodded slowly, pretending to acknowledge him.
“C’mon, Lyla,” he said after a moment of gazing upon her, “let’s go for a walk.”
“I can’t,” she said, turning a page. “No time.”
“A woman with drive. I like that,” he noted. “Nevertheless, you don’t have a say in the matt
er. Arkin left me in charge and I say it’s time for a break.”
She furrowed her brow, looking up from the book. “He did not leave you in charge.”
“He did. Swear it.” A wry smile played across his lips. “You have to do what I tell you.”
“Do I now?” she said with a mischievous tone.
He held the door open and watched her walk through the Lodge and out the back.
The sun sat high in the sky, growing hotter as the days passed. Cain led Lyla to a stream that carved through the base of the surrounding mountains. He bent low, cupping his hands for a drink.
“What is it?” he asked, noticing her hesitation.
“Nothing,” she said, looking away.
He ran both hands over his head, slicking his hair back with the cool water. “Is it what I said earlier?” he asked.
“I can fight as well as a man,” she snapped.
“I never said you couldn’t!” he retorted. “I just said that in battle, a man will show you no mercy just because you’re a woman.”
“And he should expect none in return,” she said.
“Agreed,” he said. “Still, I think you could use some more training.”
She lowered her eyes a bit and began twirling her hair. “I haven’t had much time for that since I’ve been here.”
“You need to make time,” he said. “Everyone should train. You never know when it’ll come in handy.” He splashed water in her direction.
“Hey!” she shouted, turning away in defense.
He kept soaking her until she charged at him and pushed him over into the stream.
After fully submerging in the icy water, he jumped up with a shriek.
“Oh, it’s not that bad,” she said after laughing.
He breathed sharply. “You think that’s funny!” he scolded.
“I’m sorry,” she said, taken off-guard by his reaction.
“I don’t want to hear it!” he spat, storming up to her. His demeanor changed when he took hold of her arm.
“Don’t even think about it!” she said.
He slowly pulled her into the water, a wide grin on his face.
She screamed before becoming submerged.
“How dare you!” she gasped, emerging from the cold.
Cain laughed. “Now we’re even.”
She stumbled back to the bank, shoving him as she passed.
“I don’t think so,” she said, brushing herself down. “You owe me.”
“How ya figure?”
“You’re not supposed to treat a lady like that,” she protested.
He stepped close to her and removed his tunic, revealing his wet body, ripped with muscle. “And how, would you say, that I’m supposed to treat a lady,” he said, moving closer.
“You know,” she stammered, eyeing the hard lines of his bare physic. “Ladies deserve respect. And,” she trailed off, running a finger over his chest.
He pulled her close. “And,” he said in her ear.
She wrapped both arms around him and tilted her head back. His hot breath tickled her neck while his mouth searched. She pushed his face back with both hands, then pulled it to hers. Heat rose as passion took hold.
“What do you think?” Cain whispered between breaths.
She moaned. “I think...it’s time we head back.”
He pulled away from her neck after a moment, skin gleaming in the sun. “Alright, milady,” he said, smiling.
She smiled in return, straightened herself, then began to walk. He stepped in beside her and the two held a content silence for a while.
“You still owe me,” she stated.
“Anything,” he replied.
“Teach me how to shoot a bow.”
He marveled at everything about her. Never before had he known anyone like Lyla.
“Milady,” he said with a nod.
Twenty-Eight
Torin and Arkin rode into the Grand Highlands around noon the next day. People eagerly greeted them on the way in. Torin gave them a solemn nod or a blank stare in reply.
After stabling the horses, they made for the Prophet’s room. Torin walked around the desk and ran his hand over the back of the chair.
“Gather everyone up and have them meet me out back,” he told Arkin.
A short time later, Arkin had gathered the whole town.
“What’s this about, Arkin?” Lyla asked, standing next to him.
Turning, he looked into her eyes. To him, she looked more beautiful than ever. The sight of her made him forget about all the bad things in the world. Somehow, he realized he was holding her hand. His mouth opened to speak, but paused as Torin stepped outside.
Torin looked, with heavy eyes, at all the people before pulling the letter out of his pocket. He read Paul’s last words loud enough for everyone to hear. Silence hung after he finished.
“So what, he decided to retire at the capital?” a man said from the crowd. “He must have got used to that lavish lifestyle while he was there.” A few laughed.
Torin eyed the man, then spoke. “He’s dead.”
Lyla looked at Arkin, wide eyed.
“Ok, Torin, jokes over. Where is he?” Bennie said.
“I wish it were a joke,” Torin replied. “Saw it with my own eyes. The executioner took his head. I...” he dropped his head in shame. “I was too late. I couldn’t save him.”
“It makes no sense,” Cain spoke up, his voice quivering. “Why was he on the executioner’s block in the first place? Why would the King allow it?”
“Lucian attacked the capital. That was the reason for our trip,” Torin said, then paused to gather his thoughts. “At the trial, Lucian planted evidence that made the Prophet appear guilty of arranging the attack. Everyone called for his head, along with Lucian’s. The King had no choice.”
“Then the King must pay,” Billy said.
“He’s dead too,” Torin said with little emotion.
Each person looked to the face next to them, stunned.
“Killed by a man posing as a guard,” Torin said. “Then the guards started slaying people. The mob fought back.”
“Who were the men posing as guards?” Billy asked.
“I believe them to be Dark Society,” Torin said. “And the man behind it all is Victor.”
Stubbs stepped forward, arms crossed. “Impossible,” he said, “He’s been dead for years. We had that on reliable sources.”
“Then he is good at coming back to life,” Torin said. “I watched him die by Lucian’s hands, then come to life again soon after.”
“So Lucian lives?” Cain interjected.
Torin glanced at him. “Yes.”
“Let me get this straight,” Stubbs said, “Victor, who is supposed to be dead, planned the whole thing from Lucian’s attack to the execution, then planned on Lucian killing him? All so he could come back to life?”
“Yes, though I don’t think he planned on Lucian killing him. I think he wanted Lucian dead,” Torin said. “After the chaos was over, Victor rallied the mob and laid the blame on the Order.”
“By what right?” Cain spat.
“By the right of his title. He is the new High Priest,” Torin said.
“It can’t be,” Cain said, shaking his head.
“He marches with over a thousand strong to destroy the Order,” Torin said.
Looking around, Arkin noticed the pain in every eye. He knew Paul meant a lot to the people, but he had no idea how much. With the news of impending war, they looked defeated.
“How much time do we have?” Master Coll spoke up.
“Three, maybe four days.” Torin said.
Cain stormed off.
“We must make ready,” Torin said, looking to the old Master of Arms. “Master Coll, see to the defenses.”
Coll stepped out front and faced the crowd. “You heard him, you sorry lot. If these bastards want a fight, we’ll give them the likes of which they’ve never seen! Time to see if all my hard work training you was for naugh
t.”
Master Coll began barking orders. Nobody questioned him, or the lack of urgency in his tone.
Groups were made and delegated to certain tasks. The first group began digging trenches in tiers, up the hill to the Lodge. One group began shaping spears, while another arranged the spears around the trenches, leading to the Lodge.
The whole town made ready. Food and drink were prepared, ready for anyone to replenish themselves at any time.
The next day, women and children began the exodus. Torin sent twenty men with them, along with all the supplies and livestock they could carry. They would make the long journey north to the Order’s camp. Built after the Rebellion, it was a last resort if things went south at the Grand Highlands. No one, save the Order, knew of its existence.
Torin also sent the best scouts to all of the independent cities. They were to inform all the powers that be and any members of the Order of everything that happened. Torin knew that any hope of help was futile. Nobody would come to their defense — there wasn’t enough time.
But at least the people would know.
Twenty-Nine
High Priest Victor sat on his throne.
Sarie knelt beside him with her head on his lap.
“I thought you were dead,” she softly spoke.
He ran his fingers through her crimson hair. “I was dead. God, it seems, has another purpose for my life.”
“And I pray my thanks for it,” she said
He rubbed his once wounded neck, now healed. “Tell me, what was it like to see Lucian again after all these years?” Victor asked.
She didn’t reply.
“Were you frightened?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Angry?”
“I don’t know.” She pulled back and looked at him.
“What feelings arose when you saw him?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” she said with a puzzled look upon her face. “I don’t know why you are asking all these questions.”
“Just curious,” he said, touching her face. “You loved him once. They say time heals all wounds.”
“Not this wound,” she said. “I’ve wished his death and worse for a long time.”
“I’ve no doubt my dear. You say you pierced his side?”
She nodded.
